Wet and dry vacuum cleaner

ABSTRACT

A wet and dry vacuum cleaner having a vacuum cleaner head, having a dirt container and having an inlet fitting which is designed for the connection of a suction hose, wherein the inlet fitting is connected in terms of flow to an inlet connector, which is situated in the wet and dry vacuum cleaner, of the wet and dry vacuum cleaner such that dirt particles that are drawn in can pass via the inlet connector into the dirt container, wherein the inlet connector is designed as a diffuser with horizontal outflow. Furthermore, the inlet connector of the wet and dry vacuum cleaner may have a Y shape in the sense that the inlet connector comprises one inflow opening for the suction flow and two outlet openings.

The present invention relates to a wet and dry vacuum cleaner having a vacuum cleaner head, having a dirt container and having an inlet fitting which is designed for the connection of a suction hose. The inlet fitting is connected in terms of flow to an inlet connector, which is situated in the wet and dry vacuum cleaner, of the wet and dry vacuum cleaner such that dirt particles that are drawn in can pass via the inlet connector into the dirt container.

BACKGROUND

Wet and dry vacuum cleaners of the type mentioned in the introduction are known in principle from the prior art. They serve for example for extracting dirt particles such as typically form during work performed with angle grinders. For this purpose, a suction hose is connected to the inlet fitting, which suction hose is in turn connected by way of example to an angle grinder. In the case of the so-called wet application, dirty water is drawn in. In the case of dry applications, only or predominantly dry dirt particles are drawn in. The drawn-in mixture of dust and water and/or air is commonly collected in a dirt container, until the dirt container is emptied.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a wet and dry vacuum cleaner which exhibits improved operating behavior. It is furthermore sought, in the case of the wet and dry vacuum cleaner to be provided, to optimally utilize the available volume of the dirt container in order to be able to maximize the amount of accommodated dust or water.

The present invention provides that the inlet connector is designed as a diffuser with horizontal outflow. In particular, the present invention relates to an inlet connector for a wet and dry vacuum cleaner, wherein the inlet connector is arranged in the wet and dry vacuum cleaner such that the suction flow flows substantially horizontally into the dirt container of the vacuum cleaner. The substantially horizontal inflow direction of the fluid-particle mixture of the suction flow runs preferably substantially parallel to a base surface of the dirt container, which preferably likewise runs substantially parallel to an underlying surface on which the wet and dry vacuum cleaner stands.

The present invention incorporates the realization that, in the case of wet and dry vacuum cleaners of the prior art, the inlet fitting and/or the inlet connector are typically positioned in the vacuum cleaner head, as a result of which the available volume of the dirt container can be optimally utilized. Here, the inlet connector is typically oriented directly into the dirt container, which results in undesired stirring-up and swirling of the already drawn-in dirt particles in the dirt container. It has been observed that this leads to a premature shut-off in the case of wet applications and to a relatively short filter service life in the case of dry applications. By virtue of the inlet connector being designed according to the invention as a diffuser with horizontal outflow, these disadvantages can be avoided. A layered introduction of dirt particles into the dirt container, without swirling in the dirt container, is rather promoted. By means of the substantially layered filling of the dirt container that is thus achieved, it is advantageously possible for the volume available in the dirt container to be utilized even more effectively than in the case of conventional wet and dry vacuum cleaners that are known from the prior art. The horizontally oriented inlet connector constitutes in particular a departure from the prior art, because experts have hitherto assumed that optimum utilization of the available volume in the dirt container can be achieved by means of an inclined arrangement of the inlet connector, in the case of which the inlet connector points into the volume of the dirt container, or is arranged, such that the dirt is conducted in a downward spatial direction into the dirt container. In the context of the invention, the “downward” spatial direction preferably means that the dirt is conducted in the direction of the base or of a bottom side of the dirt container.

In a departure from the prior art, it has proven to be advantageous if a suction flow through the inlet connector designed as a diffuser is directed toward an inner wall of the dirt container. The rebounding of the suction flow from the inner wall decelerates or slows the drawn-in air with the dirt particles, leading to a further improvement in the introduction of dirt particles into the dirt container.

The inner wall of the dirt container is preferably a side wall of the dirt container. The inner wall need not imperatively be a side wall of the dirt container. Rather, the inner wall may also be a further wall, within the wet and dry vacuum cleaner, which is oriented vertically and/or the area of which is at least as large as a cross-sectional area of the diffuser opening of the inlet connector.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the inlet connector designed as a diffuser has a diffuser opening, the wall spacing of which with respect to the inner wall is less than one fifth of the container width of the dirt container.

A cross-sectional area of the diffuser opening is preferably at least 50% larger than a cross-sectional area of the inlet fitting in the region of the wall passage into the dirt container.

The diffuser opening may be arranged, preferably exclusively, in the upper third of the dirt container. In the case of relatively small dirt containers, the diffuser opening may preferably be situated in an upper half of the container.

It has proven to be advantageous if the inlet connector designed as a diffuser is arranged in a volume defined by the dirt container. The inlet connector designed as a diffuser is particularly preferably arranged exclusively in a volume defined by the dirt container.

The wet and dry vacuum cleaner particularly preferably has an electric turbine arranged in the vacuum cleaner head. The wet and dry vacuum cleaner may have a dirt filter which, in relation to the suction flow, is positioned downstream of the inlet connector designed as a diffuser.

In a further preferred embodiment, the inlet connector designed as a diffuser is formed as a single piece. The inlet connector designed as a diffuser may be formed integrally on the dirt container. The inlet connector designed as a diffuser is preferably composed of plastic or polymer.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to an inlet connector of y-shaped form. In this aspect of the invention, it is preferable for the inlet connector to have an end portion in the region of the diffuser opening, wherein the end portion has an inflow opening for the suction flow and has an outflow region which comprises two outflow openings.

By means of the two outflow openings of the outflow region of the end portion of the inlet connector, the speed with which the suction flow is drawn into the dirt container can be considerably reduced. The suction flow is preferably formed by a fluid-particle mixture, wherein the fluid may for example be a gas or a gas mixture such as air. The fluid may also be a liquid such as water. The particles are preferably dust and drawn-in dirt. As a result of the reduction of the inflow speed of the fluid-particle mixture, calming of the suction flow in the end portion of the inlet connector is advantageously achieved, which contributes to improved filling of the dirt container. In other words, the Y-shaped form of the inlet connector with two outflow openings has the effect that the flow in the fluid-particle mixture is calmed such that a layered deposition of the particles in the dirt container is made possible. The inventors have realized that such layer-by-layer or layered deposition of the dust and/or of the dirt advantageously leads to optimum utilization of the available volume in the dirt container.

The inflow opening of the end portion preferably forms the transition between the inlet connector and the end portion. In the context of the invention, it is preferable for the suction flow to enter the end portion in the region of the inflow opening, wherein, owing to the design of the end portion, the flow is preferably firstly conducted against the rear wall and/or a base and/or a bottom side of the end portion. The direction with which the suction flow enters the end portion is defined in particular by the arrangement of the inflow opening within the end portion.

In the context of the invention, it is preferable for the inflow opening to be formed so as to be inclined in relation to a substantially planar top surface of the end portion. In this way, the suction flow is in particular drawn against a transition region between rear wall and base of the end portion, where a deceleration of the flow occurs owing to abrupt braking of the fluid-particle mixture. In the context of the invention, it may in particular be preferable for the rear wall or the base of the end portion to function as an inner wall within the dirt container, wherein the inner wall or the rear wall and/or the wall region of the end portion are configured to brake the suction flow when the suction flow is conducted onto the inner wall, the rear wall and/or the wall regions of the end portion. In this case, the fluid-particle mixture rebounds from the walls, such that the speed of the flow is significantly reduced.

The end portion of the inlet connector may preferably be referred to as an inflow device for splitting up and/or expanding the suction flow or the fluid-particle mixture. In particular, the proposed end portion constitutes a Y-shaped inflow distributor. By means of the preferred design of the end portion with one flow opening and to outflow openings, it is advantageously possible for the outflow volume to be considerably increased in relation to the inflow volume. As a particular advantage of the invention, this leads to the flow speed being lower at the outflow openings than in the region of the inflow opening, such that, by means of the preferred design of the inlet connector, it is advantageously possible to achieve an improved deposition behavior of the fluid-particle mixture.

In conjunction with the inclined form of the inflow opening, a surface normal can be defined which is perpendicular to the substantially planar top surface of the end portion. In the context of the invention, it is preferable to define a further surface normal which is perpendicular to a plane defined by the inflow opening. The two surface normals thus defined preferably enclose an angle which, in the context of the invention, is referred to preferably as “inclination angle of the inflow opening”. Said inclination angle of the inflow opening may preferably lie in a range between 5 and 30 degrees, preferably between 10 and 20 degrees, and is particularly preferably 15 degrees.

Tests have shown that the reduction of the speed of the suction flow in addition to the substantially horizontal inflow of the suction flow into the dirt container likewise has a major effect on the manner in which the fluid-particle mixture is deposited in the dirt container. In this respect, the Y-shaped form of the inlet connector with the preferably inclined inflow opening makes a major contribution to making it possible for the volume available in the dirt container to be even better utilized, and for the fluid-particle mixture to be deposited in a particularly space-saving manner in the dirt container.

In the context of the invention, it is preferable if the outflow openings comprise in each case one wall region, wherein the wall regions of the outflow openings are formed substantially parallel to the substantially planar top surface of the end portion of the inlet connector. The wall regions of the outflow openings preferably form an outer termination of the end portion of the inlet connector. The wall regions preferably serve to allow the drawn-in dirt to be conducted against said wall regions, such that the suction flow loses speed, and is in particular decelerated, as a result of the impact. The inventors have realized that the deceleration of the suction flow or of the drawn-in dirt constitutes a major factor for improved filling and optimized utilization of the volume of the dirt container.

Owing to the inclination of the inflow opening, the suction flow or the drawn-in dirt is advantageously conducted onto a transition region between the rear wall of the end portion of the inlet connector and the wall regions, such that the suction flow or the drawn-in dirt can be braked in a particularly effective manner. In particular, the design of the end portion of the inlet connector gives rise to a diversion of the suction flow. The rear wall of the end portion of the inlet connector is preferably arranged substantially perpendicular to the substantially planar top surface of the end portion. The rear wall is furthermore arranged substantially perpendicular to those wall regions of the outflow openings which preferably form a base or a bottom side of the end portion.

In the context of the invention, it is furthermore preferable if the outflow openings define an outflow plane which runs substantially parallel to the rear wall of the end portion of the inlet connector and which is formed so as to be substantially perpendicular to the wall regions of the outflow openings. By means of the arrangement of the inflow opening relative to the outflow openings within the end portion of the inlet connector, the suction flow is advantageously diverted such that the drawn-in dirt is deposited in laminar layers in the dirt container.

The proposed end piece for an inlet connector may advantageously also be used in conjunction with a filter bag. For this purpose, in the context of the invention, it may be preferable for the y-shaped inlet connector, or the end piece thereof, to have a connection geometry which is enlarged in relation to a conventional connector. The sealing geometry may preferably be for example of elliptical shape, for example of oval shape.

In the context of the invention, it may also be preferable for the end portion of the inlet connector to have only one outflow opening, which then however preferably has an outflow opening size considerably larger than the inflow opening area. In this way, an inflow distribution of the suction flow is advantageously realized which permits the improved filling of the collecting container.

In particular, with the preferably Y-shaped end portion of the inlet connector, a diversion of the inflow direction of the suction flow is made possible. In other words, in the context of the invention, it is preferable if the end portion of the inlet connector is designed, by means of its shape, to divert a direction of the suction flow. In particular, in the context of the invention, a diversion through substantially 90 degrees in the direction of the end side of the dirt container is preferable. In the context of the invention, it is preferable if the suction flow has a direction which runs preferably substantially parallel to the container base.

Further advantages of the proposed end portion for an inlet connector are the reduction of the speed and the calming of the flow in the dirt container.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is preferable if the inflow opening of the end portion is arranged above a maximum fill level of the dirt container. In other words, in the context of the invention, it is preferable if the end connector is arranged above the dirt or water surface. This is preferred because a layered deposition of the dirt in the dirt container is possible in particular if the connector does not protrude into the dirt. A protrusion into the dirt disadvantageously leads to undesired swirling in the dirt, and should be avoided.

In a very particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, a wet and dry vacuum cleaner is disclosed which has an inlet connector which is designed as a diffuser with horizontal outflow and which has a Y shape in the sense that the inlet connector comprises one inflow opening for the suction flow and two outflow openings. In particular, the wet and dry vacuum cleaner has a dirt container, wherein drawn-in dirt particles can pass via the inlet connector into the dirt container. It is preferable if the inlet connector has an end portion in the region of a diffuser opening, wherein an end portion of the inlet connector has an inflow opening for the suction flow and an outflow region, wherein the outflow region comprises two outflow openings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the figures. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate preferred exemplary embodiments of the present invention in which FIG. 1 schematically shows a wet and dry vacuum cleaner and FIG. 2 shows the Y-shaped end portion 29 of the inlet connector 27 of the wet and dry vacuum cleaner 100.

The figures, the description and the claims contain numerous features in combination. A person skilled in the art will expediently also consider the features individually and combine them to form expedient further combinations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A preferred exemplary embodiment of a wet and dry vacuum cleaner 100 according to the invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. The wet and dry vacuum cleaner 100 has a vacuum cleaner head 10, a dirt container 20 and an inlet fitting 25 designed for the connection of a suction hose 200.

The suction hose 200 to be connected to the inlet fitting 25 is illustrated schematically in FIG. 1.

The wet and dry vacuum cleaner 100 furthermore has an inlet connector 27, which is connected in terms of flow to the inlet fitting 25 such that dirt particles P that are drawn in can pass via the inlet connector 27 into the dirt container 20.

As can be seen from FIG. 1, the inlet connector 27 is designed according to the invention as a diffuser with horizontal outflow.

As can be seen from the figure, the inlet connector 27 designed as a diffuser is arranged exclusively in a volume V defined by the dirt container 20. Furthermore, the diffuser designed as an inlet connector 27 is arranged such that a suction flow S is oriented directly toward an inner wall 21 of the dirt container 20. In other words, the suction flow S flows through the diffuser opening 28 of the inlet connector 27 in a horizontal direction H toward the inner wall 21, rebounds from the latter, and passes, having been slowed, into the lower region of the dirt container 20, whereby the dirt particles P can be introduced in layered fashion without swirling or at least with considerably reduced swirling.

As can likewise be seen from FIG. 1, the diffuser opening 28 of the inlet connector 27 has a wall spacing WA to the inner wall 21, wherein the wall spacing WA is less than one fifth of the container width B of the dirt container 20.

A cross-sectional area Q1 of the diffuser opening 28 is, in the present exemplary embodiment, at least 50% larger than a cross-sectional area Q2 of the inlet fitting 25 in the region of the wall passage into the dirt container 20.

The wet and dry vacuum cleaner 100 of FIG. 1 furthermore has an electric turbine arranged in the vacuum cleaner head 10. The suction flow S is generated by means of said electric turbine, by means of which suction flow the dirt particles P are drawn into the dirt container 20 in the course of a wet application or a dry application.

The wet and dry vacuum cleaner 100 furthermore has a dirt filter 17 which, in relation to the suction flow S, is positioned downstream of the inlet connector 27 designed as a diffuser. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated here, the dirt filter 17 is arranged at the transition between vacuum cleaner head 10 and dirt container 20.

The vacuum cleaner head 10 lies on the dirt container 20 from above and is locked on the latter. In the preferred exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, the inlet connector 27 designed as a diffuser is formed as a single piece and is formed integrally directly on the dirt container 20. Here, both the inlet connector 27 and the dirt container 20 are composed of plastic.

In alternative embodiments, the dirt container 20 may be manufactured for example from metal, into which, for example, there is fitted an inlet connector composed of plastic, elastomer or polymer together with an inlet fitting 25 composed of plastic or polymer.

FIG. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of the Y-shaped end portion 29 of the inlet connector 27 of the wet and dry vacuum cleaner 100. The top side of the end portion 29 is formed by a substantially flat, that is to say planar, top surface. An inflow opening 30 is present in said top side of the end portion 29. Through said inflow opening 30, the fluid-particle mixture passing from the suction hose 200 flows into the dirt container 20 of the wet and dry vacuum cleaner 100. The suction flow S, as it passes through the end portion 29, is advantageously diverted such that the fluid-particle mixture exits the end portion 29 preferably in a direction which is not the same as the inflow direction. A diversion of the flow direction by the end portion 29 of the order of for example 90 degrees into the direction of the end side of the dirt container 20 is particularly preferred.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 2, the inflow opening 30 is formed so as to be inclined in relation to the substantially planar top side of the end portion 29. An imaginary virtual central axis can be drawn through the inflow opening 30, which axis encloses an inclination angle with a surface normal of the substantially planar top surface of the end portion 29. Said inclination angle preferably indicates the degree to which the inflow opening 30 is tilted relative to the top side of the end portion 29. The inflow opening 30 preferably has an elliptical, in particular circular, base area, the diameter of which may lie for example between 3 and 8 cm, preferably between 4 and 7 cm, and very particularly preferably between 5 and 6 cm.

The end portion 29 furthermore has an outflow region 31 which is formed by two outflow openings 32. In the context of the invention, it is also possible for one outflow opening 32 or more than two outflow openings 32 to be provided, wherein, in each case, the area of the outflow openings 32 should be enlarged in relation to the size of the one inflow opening 30. The outflow openings 32 preferably span an outflow plane which is configured to be substantially orthogonal with respect to the substantially planar top surface of the end portion 29. The outflow plane preferably lies substantially parallel to a rear wall of the end portion 29 and substantially perpendicular to wall regions 33 of the end portion 29, which wall regions preferably form a base or lower termination of the end portion 29.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

-   10 Vacuum cleaner head -   15 Electric turbine -   17 Dirt filter -   20 Dirt container -   21 Inner wall -   25 Inlet fitting -   27 Inlet connector -   28 Diffuser opening -   29 End portion -   30 Inflow opening -   31 Outflow region -   32 Outflow openings -   33 Wall regions -   100 Wet and dry vacuum cleaner -   200 Suction hose -   B Container width -   H Horizon -   P Dirt particles -   Q1 Cross-sectional area of the diffuser opening -   Q2 Cross-sectional area of the inlet fitting -   S Suction flow -   V Volume of the dirt container -   WA Wall spacing 

What is claimed is: 1-15. (canceled)
 16. A wet and dry vacuum cleaner comprising: a vacuum cleaner head having a dirt container and having an inlet fitting designed for the connection of a suction hose, the inlet fitting being connected in terms of flow to an inlet connector situated in the wet and dry vacuum cleaner such that dirt particles drawn in can pass via the inlet connector into the dirt container, the inlet connector being designed as a diffuser with horizontal outflow.
 17. The wet and dry vacuum cleaner recited in claim 16 wherein a suction flow through the inlet connector designed as the diffuser is directed toward an inner wall of the dirt container.
 18. The wet and dry vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 17 wherein the inner wall of the dirt container is a side wall of the dirt container.
 19. The wet and dry vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 17 wherein the inlet connector has a diffuser opening, a wall spacing of the diffuser opening with respect to the inner wall being less than one fifth of a container width of the dirt container.
 20. The wet and dry vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 16 wherein a cross-sectional area of a diffuser opening of the diffuser is at least 50 percent larger than a cross-sectional area of the inlet fitting in a region of the wall passage into the dirt container.
 21. The wet and dry vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 16 wherein the inlet connector is arranged in a volume defined by the dirt container.
 22. The wet and dry vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 21 wherein the inlet connector is arranged exclusively in the volume.
 23. The wet and dry vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 16 further comprising an electric turbine arranged in the vacuum cleaner head.
 24. The wet and dry vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 16 further comprising a dirt filter positioned, in relation to the suction flow, downstream of the inlet connector.
 25. The wet and dry vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 16 wherein the inlet connector is formed as a single piece.
 26. The wet and dry vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 16 wherein the inlet connector is formed integrally on the dirt container.
 27. The wet and dry vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 16 wherein the inlet connector is composed of plastic.
 28. The wet and dry vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 16 wherein the inlet connector has an end portion in a region of the diffuser opening, wherein the end portion has an inflow opening for the suction flow and has an outflow region including two outflow openings.
 29. The wet and dry vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 28 wherein the inflow opening is formed so as to be inclined in relation to a substantially planar top surface of the end portion.
 30. The wet and dry vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 28 wherein the outflow openings include in each case one wall region, wherein the wall regions of the outflow openings are formed parallel to a planar top surface of the end portion of the inlet connector.
 31. The wet and dry vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 28 in that the end portion is, via a shape, designed to divert a direction of the suction flow.
 32. The wet and dry vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 28 wherein the inflow opening of the end portion is arranged above a maximum fill level of the dirt container. 